Jarrod spears Senior Sports Star award

AN ASCOT Vale athlete who overcame severe back pain to win Common wealth Games gold has been crowned Moonee Valley’s top local athlete. Jarrod Bannister was named the Leader Senior Sports Star last week for his inspiring gold medal win at the Delhi games in October. Bannister threw 81.71m to secure victory in the men’s javelin final, beating New Zealand’s Stuart Farquhar (78.15m).

Despite carrying a back injury, Banister led throughout the entire six rounds of the final, and had the luxury of being able to pass in his finishing throw. He joined James Achurch (1954) and Alf Mitchell (1962) as the only Australians to win the javelin gold since the Common wealth Games (then known as the British Empire Games) began in 1930.

Bannister ousted a number of talented athletes for the senior Sports Star crown, with nominees coming from swimming, netball, athletics, hockey, table tennis, rowing and indoor cricket. The Leader Sports Stars for Melbourne’s northwest were crowned at Etihad Stadium last Wednesday, an event hosted by Stephen Quartermain with Western Bulldog Daniel Giansiracusa as visitor speaker. Winners received a $500 Rebel Sport voucher and a medal.

Olympian Cochrane to battle at CIS swim championships

It took a while, but Ryan Cochrane is lastly making his entrance with the University of Victoria swim team. Cochrane, who’s been studying at the school for five years, will suit up for the UVic team on Thursday at the CIS national swimming championships in Calgary. Not that the Victoria native hasn’t made good use of his time: He won the bronze medal in 1,500-metre freestyle at the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics, two medals at the 2009 world championships in Rome and two gold medals at the 2010 Delhi Common wealth Games.

“With all the travel and training due to the international meets, there hasn’t really been the time or opportunity to battle in the CIS,” said Cochrane, a psychology major.“But now the opportunity presented itself and it feels nice to be able to swim for UVic and be part of the Vikes squad.“It’s going to be a different type of thing with a real team environment.”A break in his international preparation schedule Cochrane’s Common wealth Games performance last fall pre-qualified him for the 2011 world championships this July in Shanghai allowed him to make his first Vikes appearance.

It’s improbable he will be able to again next year, when all the focus will be on preparing for the 2012 London Summer Olympics. Cochrane is one of two Beijing Olympians the Vikes have added for the CIS championships, with Stephanie Horner of Beaconsfield, Que., a move from Auburn University in the NCAA ranks. Another international swimmer being added to the Vikes roster for the CIS nationals is Richard Weinberger of Victoria, who won bronze at the 2010 Pan-Pacific championships in Irvine, Calif.

CBI arrests Lalit Bhanot, VK Verma

Former Common wealth Games Organising Committee general secretary Lalit Bhanot and former director general VK Verma have been arrested by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in relation with irregularities in the Rs 107 crore time-keeping contract awarded to Swiss company Omega for the Games.The Organising Committee got request from two companies, Omega and MS Spain and rates offered by the latter were much lower.

But the Organising Committee chose to go with Omega even though the price quoted by the Swiss company was almost double the price from other bidders.Bhanot was sacked from the Common wealth Games Organising Committee on January 24 2011 after three months of inquiry by the CBI into the economic irregularities in link with the Games held in October 2010.

Both Bhanot and Verma were grilled by CBI officials at the investigating agency's headquarters on Wednesday in link with details relating to the agreement given to the Swiss time-keeping company. Bhanot has been claiming that all the decisions related to the Common wealth Games were taken keeping government officials in the loop. Sources say former Common wealth Games Organising Committee chairman Suresh Kalmadi is likely to be arrested soon.

CWG report likely to be tabled in Parliament

The report of the government auditor CAG on the Common wealth Games is likely to be tabled during the second leg of the Budget Session, start in New Delhi on Monday. "Auditors are still in the process of finalizing the CWG report and most likely it would be ready for tabling in April," sources said. While the first part of the Budget session will end on March 16, the second part will be from April 4 to April 21.

The Comptroller and Auditor General had in November last year said that it was conducting a broad-based audit of the overlays involved in the Games and a report would be ready by January. The two-week long Common wealth Games held in New Delhi between October 3-14, 2010, cost Rs 70,000 crore. The Organising Committee (OC) of the Games is in the thick of allegations of corruption, ranging from favoritism in award of various contracts to expensive hire of training gear and inflating costs of building contracts.

CAG is vetting the expenditures incurred on different CWG related projects, sources added. During the course of the audit the CAG had send audit memos to the Organising Committee seeking their reply on the findings. In a communication to the OC in December, the CAG had said that some of the items for the Games were procured at prices higher than the market rates. The OC had vulgar rates of the items contracted by allowing some sellers to form a cartel, which then put in costlier bids, according to the memo.

Further, the auditor in another memo had pointed out that former Union Minister Shashi Tharoor had been paid $ 30,000 for presence 12 meetings of the Common wealth Games Organising Committee and for his consultancy services. Tharoor had rendered the consultancy services between September 2008 and January 2009, before he took charge as a minister. Other agencies like the Central Bureau of Investigation, Enforcement Directorate and Central Vigilance Commission are investigating the officials of the OC.

Manmohan orders action on Shunglu Committee report

Signallng his government's hard stand in tackling corruption, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Friday referred to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) the report of the high Level Shunglu Committee on Host Broadcasting issues connected to the Common wealth Games. After consider the Shunglu Committee report and the report on the matter submitted to him by the Cabinet Secretary, the Prime Minister decided to revert the Director-General Doordarshan Aruna Sharma to her parent cadre, official sources in the Prime Minister's Office said.

Taking note of the findings in the report, Dr. Singh heading for the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting to seek explanations from the suspended Chief Executive Officer of Prasar Bharati B. S. Lalli and Director-General, Doordarshan on the allegations made against them and recommend an suitable course of action within two weeks. It is likely that the CBI, after examining the report, would look into the option of registering cases against the wrongdoers. The CBI may also conduct further investigations into the allegations of irregularities to gather more proof.

The action from the Prime Minister came within two days of his communication with the editors of television news channels where he asserted that his government was “dead serious” in bringing to book all wrongdoers “regardless of the position they may occupy.”Dr. Singh directed the Ministry to review the claims made by M/s SIS LIVE, jointly with Prasar Bharati and in discussion with their financial advisers to ensure that there is no over-payment. In the event of any over-payment having been made, the Information and Broadcasting Ministry has been directed to take suitable action for recovery, after looking for due legal advice

Twin success for Jamieson at long course championships

Common wealth Games silver medallist Michael Jamieson led the way as the University of Bath completed runners-up at the British Universities and Colleges Sport long course championships. The sports performance student, who trains at British Swimming's British Gas Bath Intensive Training Centre (ITC), completed an inspiring 100m and 200m crawl double at Sheffield at weekend.Jamieson's triumph in the 200m breaststroke the event in which he won silver for Scotland at the Delhi 2010 Common wealth Games earned him the top male performance award.

Jess Dickons, also a sports performance student who trains at the Bath ITC, won the 200m butterfly heading at the championships. There were also runners-up places for Bath ITC swimmer Calum Jarvis in the 100m and 200m crawl, and student squad swimmer Charlie Barnes in the 100m and 200m breaststroke, as well as for the women's 4x100m medley relay quartet. University of Bath performance group swimmer Rachel Bennett was third in the 200m freestyle, as was chemical engineering student and Bath ITC swimmer Andrew Willis in the 200m breaststroke.

The university's 4x100m freestyle and 4x100m medley relay quartets both came third as the team took second place in the overall rankings, with the women finishing second and the men third. That was a big improvement on the BUCS short course championships in November when the university were third overall, third in the men's occasion and fifth in the women’s. Head coach Mark Skimming said: "It was a great performance."Everybody pulled together and supported each other marvellously. Everyone stood up and gave a great effort."

Wizcraft promises spectacular World Cup opening

It will be the most amazing World Cup ceremony ever, promises Sabbas Joseph of the occasion management firm Wizcraft Entertainment, which is riding high on the victory of the grand shows put up during the 2010 Common wealth Games."The entire presentation is going to be very grand. We aim to present a show of passion for cricket in the subcontinent through the opening ceremony, and it will be the biggest opening ceremony for a World Cup ever," Wizcraft director Joseph told IANS on the phone from Dhaka. The ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 opening ceremony is scheduled for Thursday at Dhaka's Bangabandhu National Stadium.

A two-hour, 15 minute-long ceremony, it will see around 3,500 performers putting up a colorful depiction of Indian, Sri Lankan, and Bangladeshi culture, total with song sequences by well-known artists like Canadian rocker Bryan Adams, Indian singer Sonu Nigam and Bangladesh-based Runa Laila, said Joseph. The function will begin with a welcome song by Bangladeshi composer Ibrar Tipu, followed by Sonu Nigam's performance of his self-composed English song "Rise for glory" that will welcome the captains of all the participating teams in the stadium.

"Sonu's song captures the spirit of all sportsmen and inspires them to rise through the stars and perform well," said Joseph. Thereafter, a performance representing the ICC-UN AIDS partnership will be put up by children, who will form the iconic red ribbon. Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will then inaugurate the World Cup 2011 around a "very different" cricket-based performance, details of which Joseph refused to divulge. The inaugural ceremony will pave the way for a special presentation around this year's three co-hosts - India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.

Sport in South Africa

It was certainly a good year for the guys from KwaZulu-Natal, with the Sharks overcoming the Bulls in a Currie Cup semi-final that stimulated a plethora of bad bee jokes, as the match was late by a swarm of the insects. The men in black and white then overcame Western Province in the final. The Bulls, though, continued to control the local rugby scene, being named Team of the Year by SA Rugby and winning hearts by taking another Super 14 title, this time at the Orlando stadium in Soweto.

The year dished up other sporting surprises. Who would have thought that Kevin Pietersen, after bad-mouthing KZN cricket, would be seen smiling broadly in Dolphins colours? Congrats to the Dolphins administrators for hire bygones be just that and to Kevin Pietersen for creating a good feeling and assisting the youngsters in that team. Congratulations to him for his splendid double-century in the just concluded Ashes Test Match. Undoubtedly, though, centre stage belonged to the FIFA World Cup. The build-up to the event seemed to tournament being played in our coldest month.

Even our notorious criminals seemed to take a break from their nefarious ways, as we went about earning an unparalleled nine out of ten from Sepp Blatter on our FIFA . Our successful staging has apparently inspired FIFA to trust Russia and Qatar with this honour in the future. “We go to new lands,” said Blatter, as conventional countries such as England and the US were passed over. Any review of the 2010 sporting year will obviously be subject by the FIFA experience; the parade, the concert, the opening fixture, Bafana, the Vuvuzelas. But there were, after all, other sporting actions during 2010.

Vuvuzelas set to raise the World Cup din

As more than 20,000 fans cheered Team India during their 38-run win over present world champions Australia in a practice match in Bangalore on Sunday, Mohali based industrialist Manpreet Singh Walia had his own reasons to be happy. With the major event associated with the game, the World Cup, starting on February 19 and the cricketing fever set to grip the nation, Walia has already dispatched more than 500 vuvuzelas and wristbands for fans in cities where matches are scheduled to be played. Sunday’s match, too, saw a large number of vuvuzelas in battle, all manufactured in the city.“We brought vuvuzelas to the Indian market last year as I was unhappy to see most of the cheering stuff being made by Chinese companies.

A friend suggested manufacturing vuvuzelas and we brought out the Indian version of the instrument that first took the world by storm during the World Cup Football in South Africa. I shipped more than 200 vuvuzelas for the India-Australia practice match and will be sending more for another practice match to be played on February 16. Once the event starts, we are expect to ship 50 vuvuzelas for every match,” says Walia, whose Hi Tech Rubber Industries had supplied more than 10,000 pieces of vuvuzelas during the 2010 Common wealth Games held in New Delhi. With the 2011 Cricket World Cup featuring more than 45 matches in the subcontinent, Walia’s company has also bagged the order to make wristbands, with personalized ones, for the official website of the event.

The Mohali based industrialist, who also manufactured sports goods for Kings XI Punjab in the last edition of the Indian Premier League, believes getting the chance to manufacture merchandise for the official website of the event was one of the unforgettable moments in his four years of entrepreneurship. “We got the order for the official website about a couple of months ago. We have made wristbands of various countries with the option of printing fans’ names on them. Besides this, we have brought a 63-cm long version of the vuvuzela, which cricket fans can personalize on their own,” says Walia.

Herefordshire Sport announces 2010 award-winners

OB Weale has won the 2010 Herefordshire Sport’s Sportsman of the Year award - but he won’t be about to receive his honour next week. The Hereford-born bowls star will be on the other side of the world competing at the Australian Open in Melbourne. It is the third time that Weale has won the county honour having previously clinched it in 1996 and 2000.Weale enjoyed an exceptional 2010 which protected his invite to the southern hemisphere’s largest bowling event.The Presteigne bowler won a men’s singles gold medal for Wales at the Common wealth Games in Delhi.

In doing so, Hereford based Weale became the most victorious bowler in the history of the Games. He also carried the Welsh flag in the Games’ closing ceremony and was runner-up in the BBC Wales Sports Personality of the Year competition. The Hereford Times sponsored Herefordshire Sport Awards 2010 are taking place next Thursday (February 17) at the Royal National College for the Blind. Great Britain triathlete Nicola Goodwin will be picking up the Sportswoman of the Year accolade.

Goodwin, from Dinedor, will be stepping on to the platform for the second time after first winning the women’s honour in 1997.The 36-year-old broadcast journalist was an England women’s rugby player when she first accepted off the title. Now, however, Goodwin is a committed member of Hereford Triathlon Club and trains up to 30 hours a week during the season. Last summer, she brought home a silver medal at the European Long Course Age Group Championships in Spain.

Indian Olympic Association backs embattled Suresh Kalmadi

Sacked as Common wealth Games Organising Committee chief, the embattled Suresh Kalmadi got the full support of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), the national apex sports body which he heads, in its common body meeting (GBM) in New Delhi. The IOA GBM, which was attended by representatives of National Sports Federations and state Olympic associations, valued the hard work put in by Kalmadi's team in "successfully" hosting the CWG.

"The GBM unanimously expressed full confidence in its president Suresh Kalmadi, MP. The House appreciate the hard work by the team in not only successfully bidding to get the Games to India for the first time but also conducting it in such a manner the international community, particularly the athletes, went away a fulfilled lot," an IOA statement said.

"The meeting noted there had been international acclaim for the conduct of the Common wealth Games 2010 Delhi and commended the Indian athletes for their performance both in Delhi and in the Asian Games in Guangzhou," it said. The GBM, held in New Delhi yesterday, amended the IOA constitution but closed short of complying fully to the International Olympic committee's directives issued last year as good governance and transparency measures.

"IOA also amended its constitution in keep with the IOC's suggestions to ensure good governance, transparency, and to include athlete commission, arbitration commission and ethics payment in its framework."The IOA also generally decided to form a delegation to meet the new minister for youth affairs and sports, Ajay Maken and have an in depth dialogue with him about the government guidelines," it said.

35 consultants hired by CWG panel

The CBI has put 35 people hired by the Organising Committee for the Common wealth Games 2010 under scanner. This includes Shashi Tharoor, as consultants/advisors for different Functional Areas in the run- up to the sport event. The investigate agency newly acquired from the OC list on the tenure terms, fees, and performance indicators of these consultants. “We suspect that a common of these consultants were appointed by the OC in an arbitrary manner. A considerable amount, over several crore, was paid to them over a period of between four months to three years.

The list showed that none of them submitted monthly report,” said a CBI source, not authorized to talk to the media. The actions were made by OC’s former chairman Suresh Kalmadi along with Lalit Bhanot as its then secretary general. When contacted, a senior OC executive confirmed, “As demanded by the CBI, and Shunglu committee, the OC gave whole details on the appointment and work particulars to them.”While Bhanot refused to comment on the issue, Kalmadi could not be contacted despite several attempts. Most consultants confirmed their stints with the OC. An advisor, who had been attached with the Security FA, said, “I was concerned in the safety details every day, I did submit a report at the end of games, not monthly reports.

”Tharoor, “consultant for Community Engagement”, however, denied his association with the OC. “My limited paid service was confined to the Common wealth Youth Games (Pune, 2008) and relates to a period when I was an independent consultant living abroad I have neither sought nor received any payment at all for any assistance rendered to the Common wealth Games next my return to India and my election as an MP,” the former MoS said to specific HT queries through email. But according to OC documents, Tharoor on July 6, 2009, had received a payment of “$ 26, 629” after $ 3,371 was deducted as tax from the OC as his “consultancy fee.”

Callum Johnson looks to Burns for motivation

Common wealth Games gold medallist Callum Johnson has described Ricky Burns as an "inspiration" ahead of his second expert fight. Johnson appears on Burns' undercard at the Braehead Arena, Glasgow; on March 12.And the Naseem Hamed protege says the WBO Worlds Super-Featherweight champion is the perfect role model."It's a real honour to be boxing on the same show as a Ricky again," said Johnson."I'm a eager student of boxing, and I've watched his career right from the start.

"He fight Graham Earl down in London as the missing man, and he got a show against Alex Arthur when he wasn't very experienced."But Ricky has stuck with it, worked as hard as he maybe could, and now he is reaping the rewards."He is a typical example of what you can achieve if you have talent and commitment, and that's an inspiration to me."I know that I have to make the most of my talent and drain every last ounce from it."I don't want winning gold at the Common wealth Games to be a high point of my career.

I want it to be just the start. Johnson got his career off the perfect start last year, when he halted Phillip Townley in two rounds at the Braehead Arena, rotating heads with his exact power-punching. Now the light-heavyweight desires to make swift development in the next 12 months. Hopefully I can contain half a dozen fights between now and Christmas, said Johnson. That’s the plan anyway, and by that stage I should be on the verge of struggle for a title.

Event Knowledge Services demand $500,000 payment

A company at the centre of a argument over non-payment of fees for services provided at last year's Common wealth Games in New Delhi has discarded claims of non-performance by organisers and has demanded that they are paid more than $500,000.Officials of last year's controversy-ridden Common wealth Games said previous this month partial payment to nine foreign companies have been suspended for "non-performance" without elaborating.

One of the companies, Event Knowledge Services (EKS), dismissed the allegations and needs the money it is claimed that it is owed for work carried out between January 1 and April 1 last year."EKS has never received any official or informal indication, written or verbal, that it was in breach of contract or that it was not performing satisfactorily against the settled scope of work," EKS chief executive Craig McLatchey said.

"EKS strongly refutes allegations of non-performance and openly confirms its rights to all outstanding payments due under its agreement with the Organising Committee."EKS has today written to the chief executive of the Delhi 2010 Organising Committee requiring full payment and retraction of the false and deceptive claims of non-performance."Organising committee chief executive Jarnail Singh could not be reached for comment.

Brown makes big splash in the pool

Swimmer Adam Brown has represented England in the 2010 Common wealth Games, the 2009 World Championships and the 2008 Olympics, but his newest challenge will be opposing for Southeastern Conference supremacy. The men’s swimming team travels to Gainesville, Fla., for the SEC Championship Feb. 16.This contest is nothing new to the three-time SEC champion and three-time All-American. Brown, a native of Cambridge, England, has been swimming in competitions since he was a boy.

“I started swimming competitively around 10 for local clubs back in England,” Brown said, “and I just kept moving ahead.“Now I am in America, in Auburn, one of the best programs in the world.”Though far from his home, Auburn’s past success in swimming attracted Brown to the school, and he said he is proud to call himself a Tiger.“Auburn has a great custom in sprint freestyle swimming and sprint swimming in general,” Brown said. “Training under coach Hawke here is a big honor for me.

“I love training here, I love everything he has done for me and everything that he is going to continue to do.”Brown said having the chance to represent his home country in a number of international competitions was an honor.“It’s amazing,” Brown said. “It’s hard to describe being there. “The environment is so good and to wear your country’s colors it’s just unbelievable.”Brown said his time competing in higher-level competitions has helped him get better enormously.

Games Company rejects non-performance

The payment dispute over last year's Common wealth Games rumbles on with a overseas company rejecting claims of non-performance by organisers and demanding their fee is paid immediately. Organisers of last year's controversy-ridden Common wealth Games said earlier this month partial payment to nine foreign companies has been withheld for "non-performance" without elaborating. One of the companies, Event Knowledge Services (EKS), dismissed the allegations.

"EKS has never received any official or unofficial indication, written or verbal, that it was in breach of agreement or that it was not performing acceptably against the agreed scope of work," EKS chief executive Craig McLatchey said in a statement on Wednesday."EKS strongly refutes allegations of non-performance and publicly confirms its rights to all outstanding payments due under its contract with the Organising Committee."

"EKS has today written to the Chief Executive of the Delhi 2010 Organising Committee requiring full payment and retraction of the false and misleading claims of non-performance..."Organising committee chief executive Jarnail Singh could not be reached for comment. The October Games were widely criticised by media and fans for the poor state of services and accommodation, particularly in the days leading up to its opening.Ric Birch, whose Spectak Production organised the opening and closing ceremonies and is one of the nine not paid companies named, told Reuters last week he had taken legal action against the Games organisers.

Last month, organising committee chief Suresh Kalmadi and secretary general Lalit Bhanot were sacked as investigations into alleged corruption continue. The USD 6 billion Games, intended to be a statement of India's growing financial might, ended up being a national embarrassment, salvaged only after a last minute scramble by the government. Memories of chaotic organising were revived last month when Eden Gardens in Kolkata was exposed of the England v India cricket World Cup match scheduled at India's best known venue following a delay in construction work.

Duffy and Williams awarded

Flora Duffy and Scott Williams walked away from Bermuda Bicycle Association’s annual feast with the Male and Female Rider of the Year awards. The awards ceremony held on Saturday night at the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club saw the two cyclists claim the top prizes after their wonderful achievements throughout the 2010 season. Duffy claimed top female honours for her first places in both the road race and time trial at the 2010 Elite Caribbean Cycling Championships in Guadeloupe. She also completed sixth in the road race, fourth in the criterion and fifth in the overall omnium at the 2010 Collegiate Nationals. As a result of this performance she was selected for the Fiber One Collegiate All-Stars team at the Nature Valley Grand Prix.

Williams, who will be leaving the Island in the spring, won the male category after coming second behind Geri Mewett in the national road race Championships, second in the criteria championships and won three of the road race series events last year. The evening’s guest speakers were previous National Cyclocross Champion Tim Johnson and his wife and Multiple Canadian National Champion and Olympian Lynne Bessette.Both riders have visited the Island in the past to race in the Bermuda Grand Prix.BBA president Peter Dunne said: “We had a great evening for our members, allowing them to share in their reflections on a very competitive 2010 racing season and recognise the victors.

“We had as our guests and after feast speakers Tim Johnson and his wife Lyne Bessette, Lynne is a former Canadian national champion in time trial, road race and cyclo-cross, Common wealth Games gold and bronze medallist and twice Olympian.“Tim has been the US national cyclo-cross champion six times and has been a associate of professional US road racing teams Saturn, Jittery Joe’s, Health Net, OUCH and United Healthcare.“Looking at the 2010 season it is clear that Bermuda is currently experiencing a boom in cycling and the numbers of riders who came out to race this past year is maybe the most we’ve ever had in competitive events.

Australian franchises' domination also a curse

Australian domination of the trans-Tasman netball league since its beginning remains a source of arrogance to make up for the Silver Ferns' stunning defence of their Common wealth Games title in Delhi last year, though the blessing is also a curse. Success, it seems, is fleeting - once crowned the resignation is swift, and dramatic. Inaugural champions the New South Wales Swifts plummeted to ninth in 2009; the Melbourne Vixens decline was almost as disturbing as they drooping to seventh last year.

Now the Adelaide Thunderbirds are challenged to buck the trend, an ominous task which starts this weekend without a basis of their championship-winning roster. The transfer of internationally famous defenders Geva Mentor - to the Vixens and Mo'onia Gerrard (Swifts) are the most significant departures and force coach Jane Woodlands-Thompson to groom the promising, though inexperienced, combination of Sharni Layton and Kara Richards in the goal circle.

Layton, 22, is so highly regarded she has been added to the Thunderbirds leadership group while her former Victorian age-group teammate Richards has effectively traded places with English basis Mentor. Australian shooter Kate Beveridge, another Vixens gaining, might also be missed in the goal circle where Jamaica's Carla Borrego must ensure Natalie von Bertouch's industry in midcourt is rewarded under the hoop.

Naturally Woodlands-Thompson was as hopeful as possible about her side's prospects."It will be good to develop that end we have the culture and style to meld these young players in," she insisted."Kara is an athletic defender with a incredible training background and a high aerobic capacity."Swifts counterpart Julie Fitzgerald also exuded positivity - and not without justification.

Alexander wins in triple jump

Trinidad and Tobago's Ayanna Alexander won for the third time in as many 2011 outings when she conquered her rivals in the women's triple jump championship occasion, at the New Balance Collegiate Invitational indoor meet, in New York, USA, on the weekend. The 2010 Common wealth Games silver medallist produced a 13.52 metres effort. Louisiana State University (LSU) student Kyron Blaise completed second in the men's triple jump championship (16.21m) and ninth in the long jump (7.35m). Another LSU/T&T athlete, Semoy Hackett clocked 7.25 seconds for third spot in the women's 60m championship. In the 200m, Hackett was fifth in 23.72.

Baylor University's Gavyn Nero bagged men's 1,000m championship bronze in two minutes, 22.39 seconds. His Baylor teammate, Zwede Hewitt completed eighth in the men's 500m championship in 1:03.86. Morgan State University's Emanuel Stewart produced a 16.71m effort to finish 13th in the men's weight throw championship. And his partner Jeanelle Ovid was 16th in the women's high jump college event with a 1.65m clearance. Jarrin Solomon was impressive at the New Mexico Classic, winning the men's 400m in 46.79 seconds. At the New Balance Indoor Grand Prix, in Boston, Rondel Sorrillo completed third in the men's 300m in 33.47.

Marc Burns clocked 6.64 seconds to cop fourth spot in the men's 60m dash, at the Russian Winter meet, in Moscow, Russia. At the Varsity Apartments Shocker Quad meet, in Kansas, Wichita State University student Tonya Nero struck gold in the women's mile in 4:46.35. Her sister and partner, Scarla Nero, was second in the women's 3,000m in 10:14.84, while another T&T/Wichita State athlete, Samantha Shukla completed fifth in 10:53.86.Kai Selvon claimed the top spot in the women's 200m B race, at the Great Collegiate Invitational, in Ohio. The Auburn University sprinter clocked 24.08 seconds. In the 60m dash, she was third in 7.57.

Sheila to turn concentrate on social sector

Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit is unfazed by the continuing probes into her government's role in the Common wealth Games. In fact, quite the opposite. At an official function to mark 12 successive years of her government in Delhi, Dikshit said the organizing of the Games was a "cause for celebrations" and that now her government would be charting a different course. Releasing a 'Working Report 2010', and enlisting the achievements of her government, she said the social sector, housing for the poor and regularization and development of unofficial colonies would from now on be accorded top priority.

"I was nervous when I started in 1998. You know how it feels when a child goes to school for the first time. But there is no reason to be nervous now. I am filled with the desire to make Delhi
better," Dikshit said in her opening address at the Delhi Secretariat. Dikshit had been defensive at most media conferences before Common wealth Games but on Monday, she appeared happy to share her views and tolerantly answered queries about the ongoing inquiries by the Shunglu Committee and CAG. "Our officers are providing whatever information the probe panels are asking for," the CM said.

"We were able to provide marvellous infrastructure despite apprehensions and doubts raised by certain quarters. No other city in the country has infrastructure like what we have in Delhi. Those expressing apprehensions have to eat their words," she said on a admiring note to her officers and staff. On her future plans, the CM said that till the Games, the focus was on infrastructure, but now the social sector will be receiving attention. The opening message of the working report talks about the change. "In coming years, the social sector will be a priority of the government. Samajik Suvidha Sangam has been launched to give impetus to the continuing Stree Shakti programme.

Saina eyes return to top

Saina Nehwal will begin her 2011 spell participating in the All England Badminton Championship in Birmingham next month as she is returning to the courts following an ankle injury.“I need four weeks to make a return so I won’t be participating in any occasion before the All England championships. I am looking forward to the All England and then the Swiss Open to start with,” she said at the sidelines of a coaching clinic that she conducted in the city on Sunday. In the All England Championships that will be held from March 8-13, she will be rutted against the best in the world with top Chinese rivals.

Though Saina’s position curved in from two to five, she still had a great 2010 winning three successive super series and Common wealth Games gold last year. She is raring to go after her dream run was blocked by an ankle injury. “I was not fully fit in the Korean Open. I missed five weeks of training and had just one week to carry out. I will take some more time to be fully fit,” added the 21-year-old Hyderabadi. “2011 is a crucial year for me and my focus will be to win as many tournaments as possible. Another major event I am targeting is the world championship in August,” she added.

Talking about the clinic that she conducted for kids, she said that she started very late, at nine years, and that she feels that kids should be introduced to any sport when they are three or four. “I started when I was nine, but I feel that three otherwise four is the ideal age. Nobody believes that I performed so well in such a short period of time. But I guess I am lucky,” she added.saina roots for india at world cup. With the World Cup fever catching on and the people of the nation just waiting for the mega cricketing show to start, like any Indian, even Saina Nehwal is hoping that the India win the World Cup this time.

CBI recovers key CWG agreement file

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), probing supposed irregularities in the hiring of Swiss firm Event Knowledge Services as the 2010 Common wealth Games (CWG)'s technical advisor, has recovered the contract's original tender document. The document is likely to help the agency establish the supposed role of Organising Committee (OC) chairman Suresh Kalmadi and its secretary general Lalit Bhanot. The original document, comprising more than a few files, was missing for over three months, since the agency began its probe.

"The EKS contract, worth Rs29 crore, was awarded by the OC's executive board at a time when its former chairman Suresh Kalmadi had headed it and Lalit Bhanot was its secretary general. We suspect the contract was completed in violation of norms and by showing undue favours to the firm," a CBI source told HT.According to the agency source, the CBI is also looking into allegations that the firm was favoured because a former CW Federation official had allegedly "owned stake in EKS."

When contacted by HT over the allegation, an aide of Kalmadi said, "Mr. Suresh Kalmadi was the chairman of the OC's executive board when the contract to EKS was awarded to it but it was first accepted by finance group comprising government officials. Even the executive board that awarded it had government officials as members then." Bhanot, when contacted, however, refused to comment. The CBI collected the tender document on Thursday from the OC, which in turn improved it from one of its former top official, connected with the Project Management Unit. The contract was "returned" by the official on January 31.

Commenee expects improvement

UK Athletics head coach Charles van Commenee expects improvements on Great Britain’s recent showing at major indoor events at next month’s European Championships in Paris even though he’ll leave abundance of potential podium climbers at home. Last year van Commenee allegedly informed Great Britain’s track and field athletes that those to struggle at the Common wealth Games in Delhi last October would not crossing the Channel and while there may be one or two exceptions, that appears to be the rule.

After opening his indoor season with 60m victory at the Aviva Glasgow International, 2010 Commonwealth and European silver medallist Mark Lewis-Francis announced he’s still riding high on cloud nine and admitted he’s frantic to compete in Paris. Whether Lewis-Francis lines up in what would be a mouth-watering three-way clash with compatriot Dwain Chambers and France’s European 100m champion Christophe Lemaitre remains to be seen, but a number of recent medallists are certain to be absent from the French capital.

Long jumper Chris Tomlinson, who won world indoor silver in 2008, and European and Common wealth 110m hurdles gold medallist Andy Turner will not make the trip while world triple jump champion Phillips Idowu admits the event never featured in his plans.But van Commenee does have the likes of indoor and outdoor world champion Jessica Ennis and 800m world indoor silver medallist Jenny Meadows to call on and the no-nonsense Dutchman is demanding an development the rather average medal haul of four from the 2009 European Championships in Turin.

Punjab players get cash rewards

The Punjab government Friday disbursed cash rewards of over Rs.7.48 crore to the state's players, as well as Common wealth Games medalists, and announced that any player winning a gold medal in the next Olympics would get Rs.2.25 crore reward. Over 50 players, including Common wealth Games (CWG) and Asian Games medalists, were honoured at a particular function held here. Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal honoured the players with cash prizes.

The players included 17 medalists of the 2010 New Delhi CWG and 17 medalists of the Guangzhou Asian Games (November 2010). The CWG medalists got rewards worth Rs.2.58 crore while the Asian Games' medalists got over Rs.3 crore.'It will be for the first time in the history of the state that such a large total was presented to the medalists of Asian, Common wealth Games and other international events,' Sukhbir Badal, who is also Punjab's sports minister, said.

Shooter Ronjan Sodhi, who won one gold and one bronze medal in Asian Games and two silver medals in the CWG, took home a whopping Rs.95 lakh.Shooter Manavjit Singh Sandhu was richer by Rs.58.66 lakh while guy shooters Abhinav Bindra and Heena Sidhu took home Rs.43 lakh and Rs.48.33 lakh, respectively. Athletes Manjit Kaur and Mandeep Kaur got Rs.48 lakh and Rs.43 lakh, respectively. Badal announced that players who win a gold medal in the next Olympics would get a prize of Rs.2.25 crore while silver and bronze medalists will get Rs.1.01 crore and Rs.51 lakh, respectively.

Purdue eager to be successful in 2011

Charlotte Purdue made a ridicule of her injury troubles in 2010 and after an inspiring start to this battle; the GB ace has vowed to make this year her best yet. Purdue’s 2010 season her last in the junior position should have been harshly hampered by a knee injury which enforced her to miss the World Junior Championships in Canada in July. But the plucky 20-year-old made sure her year was by no means a write off by concluding fourth and sixth in the 10,000 and 5,000m in that order at October’s Common wealth Games in India.

Purdue coached by Steph Twell’s coach Mick Woods at the creative distance running conveyer belt at Aldershort, Farnham and District also managed to grab the European Junior cross country title to make sure 2010 was anything but an injury-tarnished damp squib.2011 sees Purdue facing up to the disreputably complicated conversion from junior to senior athlete but the 20-year-old is adamant she is up to the task. “I have loved my time as a junior,” said Purdue. “Now I am excited about having more hostility in senior races and trying to convert my success to that level this season. “It was great to cap off 2010 with the European cross title.

“I plan to continue racing 5,000 and 10,000m, although I would like to move up to the marathon at some stage.”And Purdue who is mentored by double Olympic champion Dame Kelly Holmes believes the experience garnered in India will be priceless to her imminent fresh challenges. “The 10,000m was first in the schedule at the Common wealth Games and my first objective, so the 5,000m was a bonus out there,” added Purdue. “Overall I was really happy with the way I performed and I feel I gained valuable experience.”

Weale aims Aussie gold

ROB Weale will be among the bowls stars captivating part in this month’s Australian Open in Melbourne. The Presteigne bowler returns to the nation for the first time since his singles silver medal in the Melbourne Common wealth Games of 2006.The medal proved to inspire the 47-year-old to greater glory in the 2010 games in Delhi, when he became the most decorated bowler in Commonwealth history by claiming singles gold. Big prize money will be up for grabs with Weale among the favourites to win the trophy and the $125,000 prize money when the contest begins at the Darebin International Sports Centre in Melbourne on Sunday, February 13.

Last time Weale was in Melbourne he tasted Commonwealth singles final defeat to Australian favourite Kelvin Kerkow, who marred the match by infamously ripping off his shirt in jubilation before being flooded on the green by his Australian teammates. While the pair quickly put the incident behind them, Weale returned to the Common wealth Games arena in October and earned the final salvation when he defeated NSW’s Leif Selby in the gold medal play-off, but harbours no ill feelings upon his return to the scene of the scandal.“For me it will bring back recollections of the Common wealth Games final against Kelvin,” Weale said upon accepting a wild card into the 2011 Australian Open.

“A competition anywhere I thinking I played single of the games but was now edged out in a tie-break all credit to Kelvin. “I also think that Melbourne is one of the best cities I've visited and I look ahead to returning.”Weale is connected in flying the Welsh flag by compatriot Jason Greenslade, who will associate Weale in the pairs and triples, the latter with Australian lead Mark Berghofer by their side. Carrying a six figure prize pool, the 2011 Australian Open is a multi-discipline contest which features singles, pairs and triples for both men and women, as well as a carnival of bowls.

Games get in your blood

I’ve travelled the world to volunteer at Games to Malaysia, England and Australia. This time, there are Games in my backyard. My participation with the 2011 Canada Winter Games began almost 1½ years ago. I was recruited to be part of Mission Services planning by a friend who knows me through Common wealth Games. I’ve volunteered with Team Canada at that event three times, in communications and media relations. This time around, I’m part of a team of volunteers working with the mission staffs that run the 13 local and territorial teams that will struggle here.

Each delegation, led by a chef de mission, has an office in the World Trade and Convention Centre. The athletes’ village is also partly situated in the trade centre, so it will be a hub of Games activity. Our volunteers will be right in the thick of it, answering phone calls and questions from mission staff, booking meeting rooms and doing photocopying, among other tasks. Being involved in Canada Games has given me a possibility to reconnect with volunteers and mission staff I’ve worked with before. I’m also enjoying meeting new people from Halifax, around Nova Scotia and across Canada.

Multi-sport games are a funny thing: they get in your blood and become addictive. There are volunteers who routinely travel around the world to be part of various Games. I’m working with Canada Games volunteers, for instance, who were involved in the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver. Go to Sherbrooke, Que., four years from now for the next Canada Winter Games and you will meet people who were in Halifax this February. The same faces also crop up at big events because the sport community in Canada is a close-knit one, particularly in a small province like Nova Scotia. Many volunteers have been involved in their sport for years and have a ton of experience locally, nationally and globally.

Gambia Olympic committee theft trial postponed

A court delayed hearings in the case of three prominent members of Gambia's Olympic committee accused of misuse on Wednesday. The prosecution said the investigation of Beatrice Allen, the Olympic body's acting president and an IOC member, treasurer Ousman Wadda and accounts officer Muhammed Janneh was still ongoing. The three deny charges of embezzling $1,300.Allen, 60, said in an affidavit obtained by The Associated Press that the trio were "completely innocent" of the charges and were being targeted because of their intention to report what she called the mismanagement of $100,000 by the Gambia National Olympic Committee.

The money was given to the GNOC by the Common wealth Games Fund (CGF) and was meant to be used to prepare Gambian athletes for the 2010 Common wealth Games in India, according to Allen."The accounts showed that these funds (the $100,000) were mismanaged and a report was due to be sent to the CGF in respect of the mismanagement of this sum," Allen stated in the affidavit that was filed on Jan. 24, three days after her arrest, and sent to the High Court of Gambia."I believe that the conclusion to prosecute us might be linked to these issues. I believe that we are being victimized to prevent the elections and the report being sent."

Gambia's Olympic committee is due to choose a new president on Feb. 12 in the first contested GNOC leadership election. All the previous presidents were elected unrestricted. Allen is standing against former GNOC secretary general Abdoulie Touray and Momodou Dibba, the president of the Gambia Draught Association. The GNOC has been troubled by factions jostling for power since former president Lang Tombong Tamba, who was also Chief of Defense Staff for Gambia's armed forces, was detained and sentenced to death in 2009 for his alleged role in a coup to oust the country's government. In her affidavit, Allen said it had been decided at a conference three days before her arrest to report the missing $100,000.

Indian boxers look forward to contribute in the 34th National Games

After winning laurels for the country at the Common wealth Games and the Asian Games 2010, Indian Pugilists are all set to hit the national rings at the Kennan Stadium in Jamshedpur. Once again the home crowd will get to witness perfect talents clash it out to win the national crown as they take to the rings at the upcoming 34th National Games to be held in Jamshedpur, Jharkhand from February 12th - 26th, 2011.The multi-sport mega event will showcase sporting talents representing respective Indian states/Boards. The Indian Pugilists are currently engaged in honing their skills for the national arena.

Apart from providing a perfect platform for current champions to prove their mettle again and for rising boxers to display their skills, the 34th edition of the games has more to it. The Games will also serve as a selection ground to shortlist players constituting the core group to be trained for the 2012 London Olympics."It is an chance for the boxers to represent their state and board teams and give something back to the state as well as the nation. It also provides as a talent scouting platform for the national and international tournaments. The Games also make for an ideal ground for emerging boxers", states the national coach GS Sandhu.

The prestigious tournament will have many stars vying for glory. MC Mary Kom, the current five time Women's World Champion (48KG) will be seen in action in the 51 kilogram weight category, owing to her training for the 2012 London Olympics. The boxing legend was not happy with just a bronze medal at the 2010 Asian Games and looks forward to making her mark in the light bantam weight group at the national level. She adds, "I am focusing on the National Games and will take on one bout at a time to improve my performance in this weight group."

Poonia hopes to be back in action

Ace woman thrower Krishna Poonia is improving from her left-knee injury and hopes to be back in action in the middle of the year. Poonia said she did not want to make a hurried comeback and repent later. “My injury is healed now and I am in the process of regaining strength in my left knee (which takes the maximum impact during the throws). Once I feel that both my knees are equally strengthened, which I hope will happen in 20 days time, I will start training for the throws,” said the Common wealth Games gold medallist on the sidelines of ‘Yuva Meet' here on Monday.

Poonia, who also bagged a bronze medal in the Guangzhou Asian Games, wanted to take it step by step as far as her dream of making a mark in the 2012 London Olympics was concerned. “If things go as per planning, I should be back in competitions in July this year. That gives me around a year's time to qualify for the Olympics,” she said. Poonia said she had to focus on her health in order to get back in top shape.

The 29-year-old, busy attending scores of felicitation functions, was delighted to get attention and recognition for her medal-winning performances. She was also thrilled to spend quality time with her family.“It was complicated for me and my husband (who is also her coach) to stay away from our son for years. It is very relaxing now (to be with him),” she said, while hoping that the break would help her return to the throwing ring with a fresh mind.

Welsh athletes claim the Celtic Cup

Wales' athletics team has won the Celtic Cup for the first time in the tournament's 10-year history. And Lynn Davies, president of UK Athletics, believes Wales will be well represented at the 2012 Olympics off the back of the win. "The future is looking really promising for Wales' athletes," said famous long-jumper Davies, now 68.Wales beat off challenges from Scotland, Ireland and England to win the coveted Celtic Cup on home soil."All the team did Wales proud - events like this are a really positive experience," said Davies, who thrilled Wales and his home town of Nant-y-moel by claiming gold at the 1964 Olympics in Tokyo.



Davies says he believes Wales's most hopeful Olympic medal prospect in 2012 is hurdler Dai Greene. Greene, 24, took gold at the European Championships in Barcelona in 2010, along with gold at the Common wealth Games in Delhi, both in the 400m hurdles."We now have a fine mix of athletes in Wales. Everything is looking good for 2012," said Davies, Common wealth Games shot put finalist Ryan Spencer-Jones, 24, and UK Championships bronze medal hurdler Caryl Granville, 21, together the Celtic Cup on behalf of the Wales team during the event, at the National Indoor Athletics Centre in Cardiff.

Both athletes are said to be among strong contenders for London 2012.Wales manager Mike Delaney is delighted with the overall team presentation and is also looking ahead to the 2012 Olympics with great optimism."We have had a very good day after a unsatisfactory performance at last year's Celtic Cup," said Delaney."But we selected a strong team this time around and our expectations were high."We did very well at the Common wealth Games in Delhi, coming back with five medals and success breeds success," said Delaney, who now hopes to have at least four Welsh athletes named in the GB Olympic team.

Devvarman serves tennis warning

Common wealth Games and Asian Games tennis champion Somdev Devvarman of India ruined serve three times to defeat local Raven Klaasen 6-4, 6-3 Monday in a South African Open first-round clash. German Simon Greul and South African Rik de Voest were other winners as the 442,500-dollar ATP event began with three expected results at the sprawling Montecasino entertainment centre in a plush northern Johannesburg suburb. All eight seeds had the day off with number one Feliciano Lopez from Spain visiting a rhinoceros and lion park near the South African financial center and number seven Rainer Schuettler of Germany involved in a Soweto coaching clinic.



Devvarman, who struck Commonwealth gold in New Delhi last October and Asian gold in Chinese city Guangzhou the following month, always had the measure of qualifier Klaasen. The first service break gave the 25-year-old Indian the opening set before a humble crowd that watched the action in perfect circumstances on a centre court created in a car park. Another break in the second set set up Devvarman for success and a Klaasen ace when 30-15 behind in the ninth game did not avoid his opponent breaking service again and clinching an 83-minute victory. Ranked 110 in the world, 2010 South African Open quarter-finalist Devvarman is 197 places above Klaasen, who found the advantages of home support and being more used to playing in a city 1,800 metres above sea level were not enough.

A larger repertoire of strokes and greater composure in key moments were key factors for Devvarman, who helped India defeat South Africa in a 2009 Davis Cup tie that dashed the hosts' hopes of endorsement to the top-tier world group. The second round promises a much tougher assignment for the native of Assam in north-east India with number three seed Janko Tipsarevic from Serbia his likely challenger.Tipsarevic will be among seven seeds in action Tuesday when he faces Jesse Huta Galung from the Netherlands and it would be a shock if he failed to reach the last-16 phase of an event offering a 76,500-dollar first prize. Stuttgart-based Greul, who turns 30 this year, is ranked 48 places higher than Brazilian Thiago Alves and it showed as he was seldom extended en route to a 6-2, 7-5 victory.